Stamp-affixer.



J. B. TURNER. STAMP AH-Ixix.

(Application filed June 2. 190251 llllll IL mf m n .1

STAMP AFFlxEn.4

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J. R. TURNER. "STAMP AFFIXER.

(Application `Bled June 2, 1902.)

(No Modal.)

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UNITED STATES1 PATENT EEICE.

JOHN R. TURNER, OF STOWMARKET, ENGLAND.

STAlVl P-AFFIXER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,536, dated November 25,y 1902.

Application filed June 2,1902. Serial No. 109,993. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t www] concern Be it known that I, JOHN ROBERT TURNER, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland,residing at Stowmarket,in the county of Suffolk, England, have invented a new and useful Stamp-Aftixer, of which the following is a specification.

This invention'relates to an improved apparatus for applying and afflxing adhesive postage and like stamps to envelops, postcards, and other articles where stamps are now used; and it has for its object to avoid the necessity of having togmoisten the stamps with the tongue or to damp them by hand and at the same time to expedite the operations of applying and affixing such stamps when a number are to be used. To this end I provide an apparatus that will hold a supply of postage lor like adhesive stamps piled up ready for use and will allow them to be withdrawn singly,then moistened,and applied and aiixed to the envelop or the like at one and the same operation.

An apparatus embodying the invention comprises a magazine for the stamps, a device for lifting the uppermost stamp ofi the pile, a gripping device for withdrawing the lifted stamp presented thereto and pressing it against a moisteniug device, and a presser device for holding the moistened stamp onto the envelop or the like while the gripping device releases it and retires, and for then finally afxing said stamp to the envelop or the like, the said devices being so arranged and combined that by a single manual`operation of the presser device all the above-mentioned functions or operations are practically effected concurrently, and in order that the said invention may be readily understood I will describe the same fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis afront elevation of theimproved Y apparatus with its operative parts or devices jaws of the gripping device open ready to seize a stamp. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line C C of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrow 6. Fig. 'isa similar section on the same line C C of Fig. 5 as seen when looking in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow 6. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 show details.

The box or casing is indicated by the letter a and is constructed of any suitable material. It carries all the various devices hereinbefore mentioned. This box or casing o., which may have a glazed front or door, is mounted on a stand or base-board b, to which it is advantageously hinged at c, so that it can be readily thrown back when itis desired to have access to certain of the parts, or to replenish the stock of postage-stamps, or to recharge the moistening device, or for any other purpose. The bottom plate of this casing is provided with three apertures, beneath the first one of `which is arranged a stamp-magazine and beneath the second one of which is arranged the moistening device. The third aperture permits the passage of the stamp to the envelop or the like, which is inserted in the gap between the stand or base-board b and the bottom of said casing. Through the top of the box or casing passes the stamp-lifting device, (shown detached in Fig. 8,) which consists of a hollow plunger d, (or it may be hollow at one end only,) carrying at its lower end a de` tachably-connected springcontrolled pair of arms e, fitted with plugs or pads f of suitable material-si1ch as felt, wool, &c.-charged with any appropriate slightly-adhesive medium 4for lifting the stamps g one by one, as required, from the magazine 72.. This latter mayt into a recess formed for its reception in the stand or base-board b, or it maybe supported on flanges fixed to the under side of the bottom of the box or casing. In the drawings the said magazine is shown as fitted into a recess. The arms e, carrying the plugs or pads f, are advantageously arranged breadthwise of the stamps, so as to lift each one with out causing it to buckle and` present it in a fiat condition to the gripping device. The

said plunger is guided in its reciprocations by a plate or bracket t' and is connected by means of a forked and slotted lever j, pivoted at 7c, with the presser device, so that it works IOO in unison therewith-that is to say, they both descendandascendsimultaneously. Aspring Z is provided to assist the upward stroke of the lifting device; but this is not absolutely necessary.

The presser device comprises a rod or stem m, traversingthe top of the casing a through a guide-tube 'n and is litted with a knob o to permitv it to be readily operated by hand. A helical spring p is provided to return the presser to its normal position, as will be readily understood on reference to Figs. 1 and 3. The rod or stem m carries at its lower end a block or pad q, of rubber or other resilient material, secured to a metal plate r, and said plate is pivoted at s to the rod or stein and is normally retained at an incline thereto by the action of a spring t, the object of such inclination being hereinafter mentioned. On the under side of the block or pad q is a tooth or rib u, also of resilient material, to hold the Stamp onto the envelop and prevent it being drawn away by the gripping device (hereinafter fully described) when completing its backward stroke.

Below the presser device is the gripping device. This consists of a sliding plate fu, moving in longitudinal guideways w and carrying jaws or grippers .fr so. The lower jaw @c is advantageously formed in a piece with the plate o, while the upper jaw is pivoted thereto at y and is normally held closed by a spring z. These jaws are connected with the presser device by means of a bell-crank lever 1, one arm of which is pivoted at 2 to a pillar 3 on the sliding plate c and the other arm of which is pivoted at 4 to the rod or stem m of the presser device, and said bell-crank lever is fulcrumed at '5 in a bearing 6, secured to the inner side of the box or casing a. The upper jaw is provided with a cross-rod 7, adapted to ride up inclined blade-springs 8, each iixed at one end to a bracket 9, secured to the bottom of the boX or casing and resting by their other or free ends upon the guideways w. By these means the jaws are caused toopen against the tension ofthe spring z as they advance toward the stamp-lifting device. The forward upper ends of the bladesprings 8 terminate at such a distance from the stamp-lifting device as to allow the crossrod 7 to fall off them when the open jaws have suiiciently advanced to reach and grip the stamp presented to them by the lifting device and so cause them to close by the action of the spring a.

10 is the aperture in the bottom of the box or casing a, through which the presser-block passes to apply and affix the stamp to the envelop or the like placed beneath it.

The moistening or damping device for the stamps consists of a trough 1l, secured to the under side of the bottom of the box or casing (or detachably connected therewith) and fitting into arecess in the stand or base-board b. Said trough contains a pad 12, charged with water, or it may contain a roller dipping into water.

Adjacent to the above-mentioned device is a curved plate 13, pivotally mounted in standards 14 and serving to press the stamps as drawn over the moistening or damping device by the jaws or grippers onto the absorbent pad or roller, so that said stamps shall be properly moistened prior to their being applied to the envelop or the like. A slot 15 is formed in the said curved pressing-plate 13 to allow passage to the spring-jaws fr 0c in their reciprocating motion.

A fastening device of any appropriate character may be provided at the end opposite the hinge, so as to lock the box or casing toits stand or base-board and prevent any one tampering with the mechanism. The casing being hinged as before mentioned will by slightly turning on i its hinge allow of letters or packages of varying thicknesses to be readily inserted for applying and afiixing the stamps.

The working is as follows: An envelop or the like having been placed in position with its right-hand corner under the aperture 10, the presser device is then depressed by hand sopas to cause the stamp-lifting device to descend and pick up the uppermost stamp of the pile, and it is then allowed to return and permit the parts to assume the position shown in Fig. 1, the gripping device in this motion having moved backward and then advanced and gripped the stamp. At the subsequent depression of the presser device the jaws withdraw the stamp from the lifting device and carry it beneath the curved plate 13 over the' pad 12, where it is moistened and is ready for application to the envelop. During the retiring motion of the gripper device its crossrod 7 travels beneath the blade-springs 8 and so keeps the jaws closed. By the time the jaws have very nearly reached the end of their rearward travel and the stamp has thereby been brought over the aperture 10 in the bottom of the box or casing a the cross-rod 7 has escaped from the blade-springs 8 and the inclined presser-block r has moved down and brought its resilient tooth or rib u to bear upon the free end of the stamp, as indicated in the dotted position shown in Fig. l. By continuing the pressure on the presser device the block or pad q is now brought into a perfectly horizontal position, as seen in Fig. 3, onto the stamp and so irmly and Iinally ICO IIO

aflixes it to the envelop. At the same time the jaws of the gripper withdraw from the stamp and move sufticiently out of the path of the presser-block to permit this latter to become truly effective. Concurrently with the downstroke of the presser device the forked'lever 7c has brought the stamp-lifter down onto the pile of stamps in the magazine h. Pressure now being removed from the presser device, the spring p returns it to its initial position and causes the gripping device to again traveltforward by reasoniof the 4movement imparted to the bell-crank lever l, while simultaneously with this movement the stamp-lifter ascends, owingto its lever consprings and so causes said jaws toopen` until they reach the position shown in Fig. 5 ready to grip another stamp. At the moment the jaws reach the limit of their stroke and project beyond the edge of the stamp the crossrod 7 arrives at the extremities of the bladesprings S and falls down, so permitting the spring .a to come into action and close said jaws upon the stamp. The apparatus is now ready for another operation, and all that is `necessary to do is to place another envelop or the like in position and then to depress and release the presser device in a continuous manner, the intermediate motions being au- Astamps singly from a pile, means for gripping and removing each stamp, means for moisten-` ing the same, means for applying and affixingsaid stamp, through said aperture in the casing, onto an envelop or other article placed beneath the casing, and lever mechanism for interconnecting the operative parts.

2. In apparatus for applying and afxing adhesive postage and like stamps to envelops, post-cards, and other articles, the combination with a casing hinged at one end to a stand enbase-board, and provided with a glazed front or door, and 'au aperture in the bottom fitted with a magazine for holding stamps, a

j second aperture inthe bottom to provide access to a moistening device disposed beneath said aperture, and a third aperture to permit the application of the stamp to the envelop or other article placed beneath the casing, of a stamp #lifting device mounted Within the' casing and above the first-named aperture, a moistening device beneath and means above the second aperture for pressing the stamp against the said moistening device, a gripper` device, a presser device passing through the top of said casing and fitted with means for operatingit from the exterior', and lever mechanism for connecting said presser device with said lifting and stamp-gripping devices.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination With a casing coutaining in its interior a moistening device, a stamp-gripping device, and a presser device, of a stamp-lifting plunger fitted at its lower end with detachable arms carrying pads or plugs to receive an adhesive material for the purpose set forth.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing containing in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stam p-moistening device, agripping device, and a presser device, of a stamp-lifting plunger formed with a hollow end and carrying detachable arms, and a spring in the hollow end to act on said arms.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing containing in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of a stamp-lifting plunger engaging with a forked lever pivoted at one end to the said casing, and near its other;

end to said presser device,whereby said stamplifting device and presser device are caused to work in unison.

6.` In an apparatus of the character" described, the combination with a casing containing in its interior a stamp-lifting device, astamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of a vertically-mounted stamp-lifting plunger guided in a plate or bracket secured to the interior ofthe casing and traversing the top of said casing.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing containing in its interior a stamp-liftingdevice, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of a trough arranged beneath an aperture in the bottom of said casing, a moistening-pad located in said trough and projecting through said aperture, and a curved plate pivoted at one end to standards fixed to said casing and resting with its lower curved end on the moistening-pad.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing containing iu its interior a stamp-lifting device,l

a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device; of a trough furnished with a moistening-pad arranged beneath an aperture in the casing, and a slotted curved plate above said moistening-pad pivoted to standards within the casing.

9. In au apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing carrying in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of reciprocating gripper-jaws, one formed integrally with a sliding plate and the other hinged thereto, a spring to close said jaws, and a cross-rod xed to the upper jaw for opening the jaws.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing carrying in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of reciprocating springcontrolled jaws connected with a sliding plate and fitted with a cross-rod, and inclined bladesprings to serve as a track for said cross-rod.

1l. In an apparatus of the character de- ICO IIO

scribed, the combination with a casing carrying in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a

stamp-inoistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of reciprocating springcontrolled jaws connected with asliding plate and litted with a cross-rod, and inclined bladesprings fixed at one end to brackets carried by the casing and resting with their free ends in the guideways of said sliding plate.

l2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing carrying in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of reciprocating springcontrolled jaws connected with asliding plate, and a pillar fixed to said sliding plate for moving it, and lever mechanism for actuating the operative parts in unison.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing carrying in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of reciprocating springcontrolled jaws connected with a sliding plate provided with a pillar and a bell-crank lever connected by one arm to said pillar and by the other arm to the presser device, and fulcrumed to a bearing in the casing.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing car/ryingin its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of a rod or stem for said presser device, passing through the top of the casing and guided in a tube fixed to the casing, a helical spring mounted upon the outer portion of said stem, and a knob fixed to this latter.

l5. In an apparatus of the character described, t-he combination with a casin g carrying in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a

stanip-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, of a stem for said presser device Iitted at its lower end with a pivoted plate retained normally at an angle thereto, a spring secured in said stem and pressing with its free end on said plate, and a resilient block secured to the under side of said plate.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing carrying in its interior a stamp-lifting device, a stamp-moistening device, a gripping device, and a presser device, the said presser device consisting of a spring-controlled stem guided in a tube iixed to the top of the casing, a plate pivoted to the lower end of said stem in the interior of the casing, a resilient block secured to said plate, and a resilient tooth or rib on the under side of said block.

17. Astamp applyingand aftixingapparatus comprising the following instrumentalities: a stamp-lifting device for removing the uppermost stamp from a pile, a gripping device for withdrawing the lifted stamp presented to it, a moistening device over which said stamp is drawn by the gripping device, and a presser device for holding the moistened stamp onto the envelop (or the like) and finally aftixing it thereto, and lever mechanism combined with said instrumentalities whereby on the presserdevice being depressed all the said instru mentalities are operated concurrently.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed 'my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN R. TURNER.

Witnesses:

GEORGE ERNEST MINTERN, WALTER J. SKERTEN. 

